Right-of-way plans good for all
23 July 1999
Right-of-way plans ‘good for all’
By Isabel Davies
GOVERNMENT proposals aimed at improving the rights of way system could offer benefits to farmers as well as the general public, claim landowners.
The Country Landowners Association says plans contained in the consultation paper Improving Rights of Way in England and Wales are “good news for all.
The proposals, which set out the governments plans for improving rural access including measures to increase the number of routes in the countryside.
“The governments proposals offer the best opportunity in recent years to establish a rights of way network which meets the modern needs of recreation while taking full account of land management and environmental concerns,” said CLA environment advisor Dr Alan Woods.
The proposals would mean give local authorities power to either open or close footpaths or bridleways depending on the needs of the public.
But farmers would also have the right to apply to have paths diverted or even temporarily closed, possibly on the grounds of land management requirements.
Other proposals include increasing fines for farmers who intentionally obstruct paths and extending traffic regulations to ban vehicles on routes away from roads.
Dr Woods said the proposals were radical enough to tackle many of the problems of the rights of way system.
The government had finally met the challenge that the CLA had been making for the past 10 years, he said.
But Ewen Cameron, chairman of the Countryside Agency, expressed his concern that the government did not intend making any money available to fund the measures.
More than £30 million would be needed over the next five years to deal with a backlog of work and proceed with the proposed improvements, he said.